‘Debaters’ college gets $1-million gift
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Denzel Washington is donating $1 million to Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, to re-establish its debate team.
Washington was in Marshall last week to screen “The Great Debaters,” the story of Wiley’s 1930s debate team. He directed the film, opening Christmas Day, and stars as educator and poet Melvin Tolson, who led the all-black college’s elite debate squad.
During his appearance, the 52-year-old actor-director said he would like to see the team get going again. School officials announced his donation this week. Marshall is a city of about 24,000, located 140 miles east of Dallas. Wiley has about 900 students.
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